Shank stiffener



Jani, s, 1924.

F. P. MARX SHANK STIFFENER Filed oct. 2. 1922 Patented Jan. 8, 1924.

, i nmrsnsr-ATES raamt FREDERICK P. MARX, or srjLoUrsjMIssouRr.

SHANK STIFFENER. y

Application'led October 2, 1922. VSerial No. 591,820. if and useful Shank Stiifener, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to shank stifl'eners. An object of the invention is to provide an improved shank stiffener adapted to be w built into a shoe sole and which consists essentially of a rear section that extends from a point rearwardly of the vertical axis of the shoe heel to a point beneath the arch of the foot in front of the shoe heel, a-nd a '1. front section pivotally united with the rear section and having means for limiting the pivotal and longitudinal movement thereof.

Other objects will appear from the following description, reference being made to the drawing in which Fig. l is a broken view of a shoe sole showing one embodiment of the invention therein.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view.

3 is a broken view of the shoe sole showing another satisfactory embodiment of the invention therein.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional View of the device shown in Fig. 3.

The invention as shown comprises a support 1 in the form of a metallic plate built into the shank and heel portion of the shoe and extending rearwardly to a point near the rear wall of the heel. This construction provides a relatively long portion of the part 1 rearwardly from the breast wall of the heel, so that the rear portion of the part 1 of the shank stiifener is below the ball of the heel of the wearer of the shoe. Thus the principle of greater weight of the wearer of the shoe is upon the inner sole of the shoe above the rear end of the part 1 ofthe shank stifliener when the wearer is standing. The part 1 of the shank stilfener extends forwardly under the arch of the foot and is there pivotally united with the front section 2 of the shank 'stifeneix The pivotal connection of the parts 1 and 2 permits proper vertical pivotal action and slight lateral action of said parts in order to conform to the needs of the wearer in walking.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the forward end of the rear section 1 of the shank stil'ener is formed with a hole 3 which receives a rolled or knuckle portion 4C on the 5 within the rolled or knuckle portion 4i engages in a depressed portion 6 of the arch member 1 vand thus forms a', pivotal connection permitting vertical, llateral and longitudinal movement of the part 2 relative to the part 1 and at the same time retains said parts in proper connection for best results. This is because the hole 3 is large enough to permit such movement by the knuckle 4 and because the depression 6 is large enough to permit such movement by the pin 5. This allowsthe forward end of the rear part l to raise according to they pitch of the heel. The part 2 of the shank stiffener extends under the forward end of the part l so that upward swinging movement of the part 2 is limited by the overrunning portion of the part 1 and the pivot pin 5.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the part 2 extends a slightldistance under the forward end of the part 1 andhas a pair of ears 7 extending through the hole 3 bent to seat in the depressions 8 at the sides of the hole 3. This connection also permits vertical and lateral pivotalmovement of the part 2 relative to the part l of the shank stiffener and also slight-longitudinal movement and prevents 'said parts from becoming detached.

If desired the part 2'may be further secured to the shoe sole by tacks 9.

Obviously the invention may be varied otherwise than as described'without depar- N ture from the nature and principle thereof.

I do not restrict myself unessentially,'but what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a shoe, a shank Stiffener comprising a rear section having 'about half of its length over the heel of the shoe and behind the breast wall of the shoe, a front section extending under the forward end of the rear section, and a pivot device uniting said two sections and limiting relative longitudinal movement thereof and permitting vertical and lateral pivotal movement. f

2. In a shoe, a shank stiifener comprising a metallic member extending above the heel of the shoe to a point near the rear wall of the shoe heel and extending forwardly into the arch of the shoe sole, a forward metallic member extending from a point under the forward end of the first member, and means pivotally uniting said two members and limiting their longitudinal movement and .per-,p

initting vertical and lateral pivotal move- YnentI thereof.

8. ln a shoe, a shank stiffener comprising a metallic memloer extending above the heel of the shoe to a point near the rearwall of the shoe heel and extending` forwardly into the arch of the shoe sole, a forward metallic member extending from a point under the forward end of the first member, and means pivotall)7 uniting said two members and limiting both their longitudinal and lateral inovenents.

4E. A shank stiffener, comprising a rear section having a hole in its forward end, a front section extending under the forward end of the rear section and having a portion extending upwardly through thejh'ole in the rear section, and means 1n connection with v said two sections limiting relative longitudinal movement thereof and permitting lateral and vertical pivotal movements thereof.

5. A shank stiffener, comprising a rear section having a hole in its forward end, a front seetionf-extending under the forward end of the rear section and having a portion extending upwardly through the hole inthe rearseetion, andmeans. in Connection with said two sections limiting both their'longi- `tudinal and lateral movements.

FREDERICK P. MRX. 

